NZ First board member abandons Palmerston North race over ‘personal’ matter

A New Zealand First candidate is no longer contesting the electorate she was set to run in because of a “personal” matter and her position on the party’s board is “up in the air”.

Helma Vermeulen was selected as NZ First’s candidate for the Palmerston North electorate for this election, having contested Rangitīkei in 2023.

However, her candidate page on NZ First’s website is no longer available.

Vermeulen is also a member of the party’s board, as the members’ council representative. Her bio, which remains active on the NZ First website, says she had been “actively involved at committee level, on the board and members council” for the past six years.

Speaking to the Herald, Vermeulen wouldn’t elaborate on why she was no longer standing in Palmerston North but acknowledged it was because of a “personal” matter.

“I don’t do that, I have confidentiality clause[s], I cannot do that,” she said when asked to explain the change.

“But there’s nothing wrong with New Zealand First, and I’m not upset with New Zealand First.”

Helma Vermeulen's board membership bio was still available. Photo / NZ First

Asked if she would remain on the board, Vermeulen initially indicated she would but when asked again if she’d remain as the members’ council representative, she said “sort of” and said it was “up in the air”.

She then directed the Herald’s queries to the party.

An NZ First spokesman would not explain why Vermeulen was no longer standing.

“There [are] personal reasons and personal circumstance, and Helma has withdrawn.”

He also wouldn’t confirm whether Vermeulen would remain a board member.

“In regards to the question of board membership, it’s an internal party matter, we don’t discuss internal party matters.”

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.